Hammock backpack

ABSTRACT

A hammock backpack is provided, said backpack includes a flat, pliable back, carrying straps and chambers or pockets. The backpack also comprises a hammock, defined by a lower portion, an upper portion and side portions which limit and define a central region of the hammock interposed and sewn between the back and the front portion of the backpack to define the pockets. In the extended condition of the hammock, the body of the backpack projects out of the hammock, while the transportation straps project inside said hammock. In the stored condition of the hammock, said upper portion and side portions remain rolled up next to the external edge of the back, while the lower portion remains folded inside a respective pocket provided in the lower portion of the backpack.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention refers to a backpack that incorporates a hammockin its structure. This invention has application in the field ofpersonal use objects and is mainly designed for campers, hikers,trekkers, mountain climbers, and similar.

BACKGROUND

Some sports require the use of lots of equipment, which is usuallytransported inside backpacks. Among this equipment, we can highlightsleeping hammocks, which are useful when hiking in the forest, mountainclimbing and similar practices.

Since hammocks have a considerable volume, even when rolled up, thestate of the art presents a few solutions, from the inclusion ofbackpacks specifically designed to transport hammocks, as shown indocuments CN 2115001U and MU 7401709, to the inclusion of specificcompartments to carry hammocks.

A remarkable line of action for backpacks is defined by the fact thatthe backpack itself, after disassembly, incorporates the hammock, bed,stretcher or similar object. Examples of backpacks that turn intohammocks and similar structures can be seen in the following documents:CN 2297110 (hammock); CN 2559247 (stretcher); CN 85201721 (tent withmosquito net); CN 86207254 (hammock); KR 20100087419 (hammock) and U.S.Pat. No. 4,484,362 (sleeping bag, hammock or raincoat). Despite the factthat these solutions are extremely versatile and creative, all of themhave a common inconvenience, which is the impossibility to use thebackpack and the hammock simultaneously. A camper is forced to find anappropriate place to leave all his/her equipment, since, after thehammock is assembled, the backpack is temporarily useless.

Another solution known in the art is disclosed in the Brazilian documentMU 8003104, wherein a bag is sewn to the hammock, and said bag is usedas a pillow after the hammock is assembled.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a hammock backpack. The backpackincluding a flat, pliable back, carrying straps projecting from upperand lower edges of the back, chambers or pockets located on one of thefaces of the back, a hammock defined by a lower portion, an upperportion and side portions which limit and define a central region of thehammock interposed and sewn between said back and a front portion ofsaid backpack which define the pockets. In an extended condition of thehammock, the body of the backpack projects out of the hammock while thecarrying straps project in said hammock. In a stored condition of thehammock, the upper portion and side portions remain rolled up next to anexternal edge of the back, while the lower portion remains folded insidea respective pocket provided in a lower portion of the backpack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood with the attachedfigures, shown as illustrations and not as limits of the invention,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hammock backpack of the presentinvention, with the hammock stored;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the hammock backpack of FIG. 1, withthe backpack defined by continuous lines and the stored hammock definedby broken lines;

FIG. 3 is a side top plan view of the backpack of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an top elevation view of the hammock, in an extendedcondition; and

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view showing the hammock in extendedcondition and in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS INTRODUCTION TO THEEMBODIMENTS

Thus, a first object of the present invention is to provide a hammockbackpack that accommodates said hammock in such a way withoutcompromising the use of the backpack by the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hammock, coupledto and stored in a backpack, which can safely receive the user, nomatter where the hammock is extended.

A further object of the invention is to overcome the inconveniencesdisclosed in backpacks/hammocks known in the state of the art.

These and other objects are met by a hammock backpack, comprising aflat, pliable and preferably cushioned back portion, transport handlesthat project from the upper and lower edges of said back portion,chambers or pockets located on one of the faces of the back, saidbackpack also comprising a hammock defined by a lower portion, an upperportion and side portions, which limit and define a central region ofthe hammock interposed and sewn between said back portion and the frontportion of said backpack which defines the pockets. In the extendedcondition of the hammock, the body of the backpack projects out of thehammock, while the transportation straps project in said hammock;wherein, in the stored condition of the hammock, said upper portion isstored in a pocket between the back and the upper portion of thebackpack, and said side portions remain rolled up next to the externaledge of the back, while the lower portion remains folded inside arespective pocket designed in the lower part of the backpack. A flap,which is attached to the side and upper edges of the back and which canfully involve the rolled up upper and side portions of the hammock inthe stored condition of said hammock, is also provided. Cords providedwith respective cord locks, located between the edges of the back andthe sides of the backpack, are also provided. Furthermore, the lower andupper edge portions of the hammock have respective straps.Alternatively, the hammock comprises a lower portion, an upper portionand side portions which limit and define a window, wherein the internaledges of said window are joined to the external edges of the back of thebackpack in order to form a continuous surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to FIGS. 1 to 3 attached, the backpack 1, according to theinvention, presents a strictly traditional design, comprising a back 10,to which two posterior straps 11 are secured for transportation of thebackpack on the user's back. The front part (not visible in the figures)of the backpack 1 has a conventional series of chambers or pockets 12,to accommodate items to be carried. Furthermore, said backpack 1 alsohas a lower pocket 13 to store the lower part 2 a of the hammock 2.

In reference to FIG. 4, in which the hammock 2 is shown in its extendedor stretched condition, said hammock 2 comprises a lower portion 2 a, anupper portion 2 b and side portions 2 c and 2 d. At the ends of thelower portion 2 a and upper portion 2 b, straps 21 are provided,preferably in rope or similar material, to support the hammock 2 whilein use.

In addition, the central portion of the hammock 2 is interposed betweenthe back 10 of the backpack and its frontal portion, i.e., the region ofthe pockets 12. In this case, the edges on the back 10, the centralportion of the backpack 1 and the side edges of the front region of thebackpack 1 are joined in one single sewing step and, thus, the hammock 2integrates the backpack 1.

In an alternate embodiment, the central portion of the hammock 2 ishollow, thus forming a window which is filled in by the back 10 of thebackpack 1. Particularly, the internal edge 22 of the window of thehammock 2 is joined to the external edge of the back 10 of the backpack1. Said union may be made by sewing, welding, gluing or by any otherappropriate method in view of, the construction materials of the hammock2 and the backpack 1.

As a result of said union, the transportation or carrying straps 11 ofthe backpack project to the internal side of the hammock 2 (FIG. 4),while the body of the backpack projects to the external side of thehammock 2, specifically hangs, when in use, as shown in the illustrationof use of FIG. 5.

Between the back 10 and the side of the backpack 1, cords 14 areprovided (four in the embodiment shown) with the respective cord locks.Said cords 14 are provided to keep the hammock 2 in its storedcondition.

In an alternative embodiment, the backpack 1 also has a flap 16 fixed tothe external edge of the back 10. Specifically, said flap 16 is fixed tothe side and upper edges of the back 10 to keep the hammock 2 stored inposition. Said flap 16 may be fastened by snap fasteners, zipper or asimilar element, to form a U-shaped tube, when closed, within which thehammock 2 is kept in rolled-up condition. Alternatively, said flap 16may be kept solely by the cords 14.

As a result of the characteristics above, it is clear that the presenthammock backpack is very practical and versatile. Particularly, thestorage position of the hammock allows the user to carry the backpack onhis/her back, not encumbered by the hammock. Said feature is due to thefact that said hammock 2 is stored in a rolled-up fashion, on one side,in an inverted U shape (parts 2 b, 2 c, 2 d) around the side and upperedges of the back 10, while the lower portion 2 a of the hammock 2 isfolded inside the pocket 13 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The hammock 2 is keptin position both by the presence of said pocket and by the cords 14.

When the user wishes to make use of the hammock 2, he/she opens thepocket 13 and the cords 14, thus unfolding and unrolling portions 2 aand 2 b-c-d, respectively. When the hammock is open, it may be fixed bythe straps 11, with or without the intermediation of a rope or similarelement, depending on the place where the hammock is hung. It isimportant to highlight that, either to unfold and roll out of portions 2a and 2 b-c-d or to tie the straps 21, it is not necessary to remove theobjects stored inside the backpack 1.

With the hammock 2 extended (see FIG. 5), the user can lie down on itand use the transportation straps 11 to cover his/her shoulders(similarly to what is done when the backpack is carried). Said featureincreases the user's safety, since it keeps him/her held inside thehammock 2, preventing any fall from the hammock during a more abruptnight movement. Said feature is very appreciated, especially if thehammock is used for mountain climbing, when the user must rest beforereaching a flat area of the mountain.

After use of the hammock, it can be stored again in a simple and easyway. In this case, the hammock 2 is laid down on the ground and thelower portion 2 a of the hammock is folded and stored inside the pocket13; the upper 2 b and side 2 c, 2 d portions are then rolled up andfastened to the external edge of the back 10 of the backpack 1, by thecords 14 and respective locks. Again, since the hammock 2 is stored andhoused only in the periphery of the back 10, the presence of the hammock2 does not disturb the user during a subsequent hike, for example.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hammock backpack (1) comprising a body, a flat,pliable back (10), carrying straps (11) projecting from upper and loweredges of said back (10), chambers or pockets (12) located on one of thefaces of the back (10), a hammock (2) defined by a lower portion (2 a),an upper portion (2 b) and side portions (2 c, 2 d) which limit anddefine a central region of the hammock (2) interposed and sewn betweensaid back (10) and a front portion of said backpack which define thepockets (12); wherein, in an extended condition of the hammock (2), thebody of the backpack (1) projects out of the hammock (2) while thecarrying straps (11) project in said hammock; wherein, in a storedcondition of the hammock (2), said upper portion (2 b) and side portions(2 c, 2 d) remain rolled up next to an external edge of the back (10),while the lower portion (2 a) remains folded inside a respective pocket(13) provided in a lower portion of the backpack (1).
 2. The hammockbackpack, according to claim 1, further comprising a flap (16) securedto side and upper edges of the back (10) and able to fully receive theupper (2 b) and side (2 c, 2 d) portions of the hammock (2) rolled up,in the stored condition of said hammock.
 3. The hammock backpack,according to claim 1, further comprising cords (14) provided withrespective cord locks, located between the edges of the back (10) andsides of the backpack (1).
 4. The hammock backpack, according to claim1, wherein ends of the lower (2 a) and upper (2 b) portions of thehammock (2) have respective straps (21).
 5. The hammock backpack,according to claim 1, wherein the hammock (2) comprises a lower portion(2 a), an upper portion (2 b) and side portions (2 c, 2 d), which limitand define a window having internal edges, the internal edges of saidwindow are joined to the external edges of the back (10) of the backpack(1) to form a continuous surface.
 6. The hammock backpack, according toclaim 1, wherein said upper portion (2 b) is stored in a pocket providedin an upper portion of the backpack (1).